Loew's Jersey Theatre

Step inside a forgotten movie palace—and into one of the most ambitious theatre restorations underway today.

When Loew’s Jersey Theatre first opened its doors in 1929, it was an experience in and of itself. Designed by Rapp & Rapp in a lavish blend of Spanish Baroque and Italian Rococo, it was one of the five legendary “Wonder Theatres” in the New York area, where audiences escaped into a world of spectacle, both on screen and on stage.

By the late 1960s, that magic began to fade. The theatre shifted to film-only programming, and in 1974, the once-grand auditorium was divided to show multiple movies at once. Just over a decade later, it went dark. But the story didn’t end there.

As threats of demolition loomed, a group of advocates formed the Friends of the Loew’s, rallying to save the theatre from being lost forever. Their efforts helped spark a decades-long revival—leading to the building’s purchase by Jersey City in 1993 and its reopening in 2001. Along the way, it earned its place on both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.

Now, a new chapter is unfolding. Launched in 2021, a comprehensive restoration campaign is bringing the theatre back to life. EverGreene is leading the restoration of the auditorium, lobby, stairways, and lounges, uncovering and preserving the artistry that once defined the space.

Through detailed plaster surveys and condition assessments, areas of deterioration were identified and have been stabilized and repaired. Historic paint analysis is guiding the revival of original color schemes, while decorative finishes—from ornate plasterwork to the lobby’s scagliola columns—are being carefully cleaned and restored.

And it’s part of a larger legacy—EverGreene has also restored two other Wonder Theatres: the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn and the United Palace in Manhattan—helping ensure these extraordinary spaces continue to inspire for generations to come.